Coronavirus: Minute silence in memory of NHS staff

Britain may hold a minute's silence next week to pay tribute to NHS workers who have died with coronavirus.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said government was actively looking at the idea, proposed by health unions Unison, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives.

It could be on 28 April, International Workers' Memorial Day, two days before the weekly Clap For Our Carers event.

There have been 43 verified deaths of NHS staff during the pandemic so far.

But the real figure will be higher and continues to rise.

It includes retired staff who still worked within the NHS.

Royal College of Nursing general secretary Donna Kinnair said: "We've become used to hearing a great roar on a Thursday night for key workers but this respectful silence will be a poignant reminder of the risks they run to keep us safe.

"I hope the public gets behind this with the same affection they show when applauding our people."

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "This is the ultimate tribute to remember workers who've lost their lives and put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe and vital services running."

Gareth Roberts, 65

Grandfather Gareth Roberts, who had worked as a nurse at sites across the Cardiff and Vale health board since the 1980s, died at the Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil.